A Chat with Author Jane Daly

Greetings from Sarah Sundin! I have the joy of interviewing my friend, fellow author, and fellow Northern Californian, Jane Daly. Jane and I serve on the board for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference, where she brings her expertise as a bank vice president to keep the conference’s finances in order. If that weren’t enough, Jane has written two nonfiction books, is writing several fiction and nonfiction works, and has recently started a podcast with her longtime writing buddy, Robynne Miller.

Jane, please tell us about your podcast, “The Art of Semi-Fiction.”

Jane Daly

Robynne Miller and I started “The Art of Semi-Fiction” podcast as a way of sharing our passion for helping writers. The podcast is for writers of any age, genre, and anywhere on the journey of writing. We explore every corner of the written word, and we hope that writers will be encouraged and entertained as we talk about all things writing.

Since both of you have amazing senses of humor, it must be a lot of fun! What inspired you to start this podcast?

Robynne and I want to help writers understand that all writing—fiction, nonfiction, articles, and even devotionals—carry elements of both fiction and nonfiction.

So true! What is the primary focus of your podcast?

We’ll unpack the genre of Semi-Fiction and its impact on both straight nonfiction and straight fiction. (That’s in the title, after all, isn’t it?)

But we’ll also scoot into the corners and under the beds of the publishing industry to discuss every aspect of bringing the written word into the world. From craft to the business end of things to how to decide on an agent, we’ve got you!

Oh, yeah, and there will be some awesome guests, too!

Sounds fantastic! What surprises you the most during the production of your podcast?

Each of us do an outline for six episodes, and our goal is to record twelve in one sitting. We were both surprised at how quickly twenty minutes flies by. More than one of our outlines has become a second session, lengthening the discussion.

What would be your ideal writing place? And…what’s your actual writing place like?

I would love to write in a warm climate, outside, gazing at the ocean or trees blowing in the wind. My actual writing spot is in a corner of our office. I have a cute triangle-shaped writing table, surrounded by some of my favorite things: A baby picture of my son, who we lost 9 years ago, a painting of a pink flamingo that my friend bought me, a Mickey Mouse paper holder my daughter gave me, and lots of sticky notes. I’m a sticky note fanatic. Ideas, reminders, passwords, are all on sticky notes on the desk, on the wall, on my bulletin board…

I love sticky notes too! When did you first recognize God’s call to write for Him?

I was eight years old and entered a story contest into the newspaper. I won first prize, and my story was printed! I used to go to bed early (even as a child) so I could write stories in my head. In high school, I wrote a story every night about five girls who got into all sorts of high jinx. The five girls were me and my friends.

How cute! Tell us about your most touching moment with a reader.

I was doing a radio show for my first book, Because of Grace, and the host said, “We’re going to take a few calls.” I panicked – that wasn’t in the plan! A lady called in and told me how she’d lost a child, and I burst into tears. So embarrassing, and kind of ended the radio show on a low note.

Oh no! Do you have an unfulfilled dream?

Ha – to quit my job, ride around the country in an RV, and write along the way while my husband drives us.

What do you read for pleasure? What are you reading right now?

I read about 50-60 books a year. I have ever since I was 4 years old. At this moment, I’m reading a chick-lit (my secret obsession) and The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell. I’m also reading The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement by Debbie Kitterman, and The Sky Above Us, by some author whose name escapes me. 😊

Seriously, folks. I did not pay her to say that. Jane, do you have a “day job”? Does it influence what or how you write?

My full-time job is Vice President of a bank. It is so far removed from my creative side that it’s like opposite ends of a magnet.

That probably allows the creative part of your brain to recharge and get ready for your next writing session. Please tell us about your favorite library memory.

When we first moved to Sacramento, the closest library was on the corner of Fair Oaks Blvd. and Watt Avenue, which is now one of the busiest intersections of Sacramento. Back then, though, I loved riding my bike to the tiny Arden Library. It was so small that you couldn’t even change your mind in there. The floors were real wood and uneven. I loved it – it was dark and mysterious. There was one book I always saw, Below the Salt. I never checked it out, but to this day I remember the title.

Very intriguing title! Tell us about your next project.

Why Are My Eyebrows Growing Out of My Chin – a humorous look at aging for women 55-75.